This object is a granite column with a carved cross-shaped top.
A few possibilities:
Rollo de justicia (Pillory)
In medieval Spain, these stone columns were placed in towns with certain jurisdictional rights, symbolizing the authority to administer justice. They often had a cross or hooks on top (to hang chains or symbols of punishment). The cross-shaped carving could be the remains of such a design.
Base for a stone cross or cruceiro
The cross-shaped cavity on the top may have supported a wooden or stone cross. These were often placed outside churches, monasteries, or at road junctions as devotional landmarks.
Holy water stoup / liturgical function (less likely outdoors)
The top could have been carved to hold holy water or oil, but given its placement against the wall outside, this seems less probable.
Since this is in Cáceres, where many medieval and Roman remains were reused, it’s possible this is a repurposed Roman column base later adapted as a cross pedestal in the Christian period.
PALRA
136299
Laura_Pizarro_Jacinto
Spain
Cáceres
—
PALRA
136555
Laura_Pizarro_Jacinto
Spain
Cáceres
—
PALRA
7787
Spain
Málaga
#Zwitracht
139371
Naomi_Heller
Spain
València
—
Valencia
14443
Spain
Alcalá la Real
—
146027
Naomi_Heller
Spain
València
—
Valencia
146283
Naomi_Heller
Spain
València
—
Valencia
146539
Naomi_Heller
Spain
València
—
Valencia
146795
Naomi_Heller
Spain
València
—
Valencia
147307
alex_analyzing stickers_unibe
Spain
València
—
Valencia
147563
alex_analyzing stickers_unibe
Spain
València
—
Valencia
129131
Spain
Zamora
—
135788
Laura_Pizarro_Jacinto
Spain
San Martín de Trevejo
PALRA | Documenting Living Languages in Western Iberia
SM | San Martín de Trevejo Corpus ID : 047 -155788
PALRA
136044
Laura_Pizarro_Jacinto
Spain
Cáceres
The carving inside the Palacio Episcopal de Cáceres shows a pair of crossed keys. This is a very common Christian symbol, especially associated with San Pedro (Saint Peter).
In Christian tradition, Saint Peter was given the “keys of the Kingdom of Heaven” by Christ (Matthew 16:19). The crossed keys (one gold, one silver, though not visible in wood carvings) became the emblem of the papacy and also appear often in cathedrals, episcopal palaces, and churches dedicated to San Pedro.
In Cáceres, where the church and episcopal authority were historically strong, it makes sense this symbol would appear carved into choir stalls, doors, or wooden panels as a mark of ecclesiastical power and connection to Saint Peter.
Lingscape
